1 intriguing addition each NFC team has made this offseason

At least until the draft gets here.

Depending on where you live and what kind of weather you’re experiencing, it might not feel like spring has arrived quite yet. But it has in the sports world. MLB just celebrated Opening Day. The UFL will kick off on Saturday. And by the end of the weekend, both the men’s and women’s Final Four will be set. 

Spring also brings with it draft season, and once the calendar turns to April, I plan to focus on the soon-to-be NFL players. Before we get to that point, though, I’d like to wrap up my two-parter about some current NFL players. Earlier this week, I singled out one offseason addition that most caught my attention for each AFC team. Now it’s the NFC’s turn. 

Arizona Cardinals: OT Jonah Williams

So far this offseason, the Cardinals haven’t done all that much to make life easier for Kyler Murray. (Presumably, they’ll use their first pick in the draft, whether they stay at No. 4 or trade down, on a much-needed WR1.) The one exception is at tackle — either right tackle, or left tackle, or kinda both. 

The Cards signed Jonah Williams, who started his career at LT with the Bengals and then played all of last season at RT (and finished with a personal-best 84.4% pass block win rate). It remains to be seen where he’ll line up in Arizona, which has another versatile lineman at the other tackle spot. Last year, rookie first-rounder Paris Johnson Jr. started every game for the Cardinals on the right side, though he protected C.J. Stroud’s blindside throughout their final season in college.

They have time to figure out the optimal arrangement, whether that’s Williams at LT and Johnson Jr. at RT or vice versa. No matter what, Murray now has two tackles who should be able to help lower his sack rate, which was 6.3 percent last season, the second-highest of his career.

Atlanta Falcons: QB Kirk Cousins

OK, this is an easy one. The Falcons were a decent quarterback away from winning the NFC South last season. Kirk Cousins is better than decent and could be the answer that Atlanta has been looking for to get back into the playoffs. After all, he thrived under Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota, and Falcons OC Zac Robinson hails from that same coaching tree. 

Although Cousins was the best quarterback on the market, he comes with a couple of risks. He’ll be 36 by the time the season begins, and for the first time in his career, he’s trying to bounce back from a major injury. He’s still recovering from that torn Achilles, too. Nevertheless, Cousins was worth taking a chance on for a team that is otherwise playoff-ready. 

Carolina Panthers: WR Diontae Johnson

The Panthers did not put Bryce Young in a position to succeed in his rookie year. They’ve started to make amends this offseason with a different coaching staff (led by the offensive-minded Dave Canales), a few new offensive linemen (most notably guard Robert Hunt), and a deep-threat receiver. Carolina acquired Diontae Johnson from Pittsburgh, where he led the Steelers in receiving three of the last four seasons. 

While Johnson may not be a true No. 1 receiver, he’s a step up from 33-year-old Adam Thielen, Young’s only reliable target last year. More importantly for Young, Johnson is an excellent route runner who is adept at getting open. The Panthers should still try to add another receiver in the draft, but Johnson can be the kind of weapon that Young didn’t have as a rookie — and he can perhaps help the 22-year-old QB progress in his second year.

Chicago Bears: WR Keenan Allen

The Bears learned from their mistakes the last time they drafted a quarterback three years ago. For the first two years of his career, Justin Fields’ top receiver was Darnell Mooney, a fifth-round pick out of Tulane who’s only one year older than Fields. 

Whoever Chicago selects with the No. 1 pick — just kidding, it’ll be Caleb Williams — he’ll have a deeper, more experienced receiving corps than Fields ever did. In a surprise move, to Keenan Allen more than anyone else, the Chargers traded their longtime No. 1 wideout to the Bears. Allen is a six-time Pro Bowler who has amassed more than 10,000 receiving yards in his career, as well as 59 touchdowns. Last year, he totaled 108 catches for 1,243 yards in 13 appearances, which averaged out to an NFL-high 8.3 receptions per game and 95.6 yards per game (fourth-best in the league). Four years ago, he was a safety blanket for then-rookie Justin Herbert, just as he can be for Williams in 2024. 

I’m not just curious to see how Allen can support Williams. I also want to find out how Allen and D.J. Moore end up meshing. Neither is used to sharing the ball that often, though their styles complement each other and should give Williams a dynamic 1-2 punch at receiver.

Dallas Cowboys: LB Eric Kendricks

Hey, another easy one … because Eric Kendricks is the only outside free agent the Cowboys have signed so far!

Even so, Kendricks fills a major need for Dallas, which lost Leighton Vander Esch for most of 2023 — and now permanently after Vander Esch retired for medical reasons. Kendricks should also be a valuable presence as the Cowboys adjust to a new defensive coordinator, who just so happens to be Kendricks’ longtime coach in Minnesota. Mike Zimmer is taking over for Dan Quinn, and Kendricks’ experience with Zimm, and his leadership on and off the field, can make the transition go a little more smoothly for the entire unit. 

Detroit Lions: CB Carlton Davis

As much progress as the Lions have made over the last few years, one area that has continued to plague them is the secondary. The unit struggled down the stretch in 2023, surrendering an average of 411 passing yards per game in the final six weeks. The safety position is in great shape, with Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Ifeatu Melifonwu. But the cornerback position is more of a question mark, particularly after Cam Sutton’s warrant and subsequent release. 

Carlton Davis could be just what the defense needs. Earlier this month, Detroit traded for the 27-year-old corner, who put together a good career in Tampa. Last season, Davis didn’t allow a single touchdown in man coverage, which is the kind of scheme DC Aaron Glenn prefers. Can he, alongside a hopefully healthy Emmanuel Moseley, turn the Lions’ weakness into a relative strength?

Green Bay Packers: RB Josh Jacobs

The Packers opted to jettison 85-game starting running back Aaron Jones after the 29-year-old declined to take another significant pay cut. In his place, they signed 26-year-old Josh Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing in 2022 before a relative down year in 2023 (a career-low 805 yards, 6 TDs, 3.5 yards/carry). 

There could be a few reasons for Jacobs’ dip in production: a not very potent Raiders passing game, a quad injury that cost him the final four weeks of the season, and perhaps his heavy usage catching up to him. Green Bay is banking on that last one not being a factor. Jacobs will find himself in a more efficient offense and with a better quarterback than he had last season, and head coach Matt LaFleur is already dreaming up ways to put Jacobs’ skills, including as a receiver, to good use. It seems likely that he can bounce back with the Packers, though if he doesn’t, they might end up regretting letting Jones go. 

Los Angeles Rams: CB Tre'Davious White

Throughout his first four seasons, Tre'Davious White was one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. He made two Pro Bowls and was twice named an All-Pro (once to the first team, once to the second team). In the three years since then, however, injuries have limited him to just 21 games. As a result, he was one of the many veteran Bills players released for salary cap reasons. 

The Rams had a major need at cornerback, which is why they took a chance on White, who is coming off a torn Achilles. They only gave him a one-year deal, but it’s still a $8.5 million gamble. That said, if the 29-year-old can rebound in LA and look like the player he once was, then this signing will be worth it. 

Minnesota Vikings: RB Aaron Jones

Once Aaron Jones decided that, no thank you, he did not want to cut his salary in half, he took his talents to a division rival. The Vikings were happy to give $7 million to Jones, who has gashed them for 847 yards over the years (his highest total against any opponent). He should be a boost to the running game. Their leading rusher last season, Alexander Mattison, managed just 700 yards and zero TDs on the ground. 

The concern with Jones is his age (he’ll turn 30 before the end of the year) and his health. He missed a career-high six games last year due to hamstring and knee injuries. However, when he returned to the lineup in December, Jones went on a tear that lasted through the playoffs. There’s no guarantee that he can replicate that kind of production in Minnesota, but he’s only on a one-year deal. So long as Jones stays healthy, he can be an asset, as a runner and as a receiver, to whoever starts at QB for the Vikings. 

New Orleans Saints: Edge Chase Young

After his Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2020, Chase Young’s career has been marred by injuries and criticisms of his effort. Young made his presence felt in the Super Bowl, but the 49ers didn’t take Nick Bosa’s advice and bring him back. 

Young wasn’t snatched up right away, eventually landing with the Saints on a one-year deal. It was then revealed that he has to have neck surgery this offseason. New Orleans expects him to be ready at the start of the season and for the 24-year-old to bolster their pass rush, which finished near the bottom of the league in sacks in 2023. His consistency and health remain question marks, but if Young can shine on Dennis Allen’s defense, then he can parlay that into a long-term contract next offseason. If not, then he can always take the Jadeveon Clowney route and agree to short-term deals around the NFL.

New York Giants: Edge Brian Burns

Like the Saints, the Giants recorded just 34 sacks in 2023, the fourth-worst mark in the league. They needed a jolt to their pass rush, which is why they traded for Brian Burns. The 25-year-old edge defender had been the one constant for the Panthers since they drafted him in 2019, but the two sides couldn’t agree to a long-term deal. Carolina decided to move on — about 17 months too late — and let New York pay the money that Burns was looking for ($150 million, with $87.5 million of that guaranteed).

That’s a hefty price, particularly for someone whose sacks (8) and QB hits (18) dropped to their lowest numbers since his rookie year. But the Giants are hoping that Burns paired with the up-and-coming Kayvon Thibodeaux can be the solution to their pass-rushing woes. 

Philadelphia Eagles: RB Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley’s return to Pennsylvania received a lot of attention. Not only because he left the Giants for a division foe, but also because of  the tampering accusations — which the Eagles have denied — that came along with the signing. 

Barkley is a bit of a boom-or-bust addition for Philly. When healthy, he’s been one of the most dynamic backs in the NFL, as both a runner and receiver, and he should fit in seamlessly on an Eagles offense that likes to stretch the field. On the other hand, Barkley has dealt with ankle and knee injuries over the years and has to be able to stay on the field. He’s also heading into his late-20s and is coming off a year in which he averaged just 3.9 yards per carry, the second-worst number he’s had in a complete season.

The Eagles made the uncharacteristic move of paying a free agent running back big bucks to inject a little more life into their offense. All eyes will be on Philadelphia to see if it works out. 

San Francisco 49ers: Edge Leonard Floyd 

The 49ers will mostly have a new-look defensive line in 2024. Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave will be back, but almost everyone else is gone for reasons related to both cost and performance. Rather than try to bring in another superstar, San Francisco took a different approach to remake its DL, with cheaper players and more of them. 

I’m most interested to see how the veteran Leonard Floyd pairs with Bosa. The Niners could have re-signed Chase Young, but they instead opted for the older and steadier Floyd. He’ll be 32 in September and is fresh off a 10.5-sack season in Buffalo. Yet as effective as Floyd was last year, he is no longer an every-down player. I have to assume that Floyd will continue to be a major contributor, as he was under DC Brandon Staley with the Rams in 2020, but I’ll also be keeping an eye on how his play compares to Young’s in New Orleans.

Seattle Seahawks: QB Sam Howell

In his first year as a starter, Sam Howell was a not very good quarterback on a not very good Commanders team. That doesn’t mean the 23-year-old should be written off as a possible starter in the future. The guy he’ll be backing up in Seattle, Geno Smith, is proof that the early part of a QB’s career doesn’t have to define him.

The Seahawks have made it clear that they’re riding with Smith as their QB1, even though they like Howell’s potential. Unlike one anonymous source, I do not expect Howell to compete with Smith for the starting job this year. But I think there’s a decent chance that Howell takes the field at some point. Remember, 66 different QBs started a game last season, and Smith missed two weeks due to a groin injury. 

When that happens, will Howell show enough promise for Seattle to consider him a future starter? Smith will turn 34 in October and is only under contract through 2025. If Howell doesn’t look like the answer, then the Seahawks will need to start planning for their post-Smith era at quarterback. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Jordan Whitehead

The Buccaneers didn’t add many outside free agents this offseason, so my options were limited here. I went with Jordan Whitehead, who began his career in Tampa before spending the last two years with the Jets. Now he’s back with the Bucs and will once again play alongside Antoine Winfield Jr. Tampa’s defense struggled to replace Whitehead, and in theory, it should be almost like he never left. 

But I do wonder if we’ll see an even more impactful Whitehead in his second stint in TB. In his two seasons with the Jets, Whitehead had more interceptions (6) than he did in four seasons with the Bucs (5), including a career-high four picks in 2023. Can he bring that kind of playmaking with him?

Washington Commanders: LB Bobby Wagner

The Commanders used their considerable cap space to sign a lot of solid, but not necessarily splashy, veterans. That makes sense; they’re transitioning into the Dan Quinn era and they need to rebuild the culture in Washington. 

Bobby Wagner, a perennial Pro Bowler and one of the best leaders in the NFL today, can be instrumental to the team, both in the locker room and on the field. He’s familiar with Quinn, his one-time defensive coordinator in Seattle, and can guide the rest of the defenders as they learn Quinn’s system. Even at age 33, Wagner was plenty productive last season when he led the league in tackles (183) and was a second-team All-Pro selection. Now we’ll see if Wagner’s energy and tutelage can help change the notoriously awful vibes in DC.